I'll be heading back from Japan in an few weeks, and I'm thinking it's time to start a build. I'll have considerable (and I mean considerable) funds to do it with, but I'd like to spend no more than $1500, tops, much less if I can, because I'm cheap. Anyway, I decided to go with an i-7 4820 processor, and I was hoping for some advice on a motherboard. Here's my general thoughts:
- no less than 16 GB RAM
- single video card FOR NOW, but definitely Crossfire/SLI compatible for later fun
- need a space for a decent sound card (and anything you want to throw my way on that score, I'd listen to)
Basically, I'll be using this system for everyday stuff, and as an HTPC. I'm not a huge PC gamer, but when I do play, I absolutely HATE having my system bog down or be unable to handle what I want to do. I want that not to be a problem - EVER. (I usually play things like Civilization or various city sims, and my brother plays The Sims and Assassin's Creed. I'm NOT an FPS guy). Also, my brother wants to be able to use a pretty advanced Wacom tablet, and I do some occasional video editing (and I'm about to start doing more). So, this system needs to not only be a Jack of All Trades, it needs to be a master of them all as well. Thoughts? Questions? Insults?